What is Peyronie’s Disease?

While healthy penises may vary in shape and size, a significant or painful bend in the shaft could be the result of Peyronie’s (pay-roe-NEEZ) disease. First described by Francois de la Peyronie, a surgeon to Louis XIV of France in 1743, Peyronie’s disease is a connective tissue disorder that affects the shaft and can lead to penile deformity. The cause of Peyronie’s disease is not exactly known, but it is most common among men starting in their 50s.

There are two main phases of the disease: the early phase is characterized by painful erections and a soft nodule or fibrous plaque on the shaft (Fig. 1); the late phase occurs when the plaque stabilizes, fibrosis predominates, and in some cases, progresses to calcification (the accumulation of calcium in body tissue). Peyronie’s is not life-threatening nor does it cause major health problems aside from pain during the late phase; however, it can be an acute source of relational and sexual anxiety or stress.

To counteract the plaque formation and inflammation caused by Peyronie’s, Innovation Compounding provides topical formulations of verapamil and vitamin E.

Verapamil’s mechanism of action blocks calcium channels, reducing the occurrence of calcification. It also increases collagenase activity, which can heal scar tissue.2,3 Another popular compound, vitamin E, acts as a natural antioxidant and free radical scavenger—both important actions given the presence of increased free radical expression and inflammation in Peyronie’s. Vitamin E is also popular for its low cost and wide availability.4,5